Switzerland Travel Guide

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Switzerland Travel Essentials

Ideal Duration: 7-10 days for exploring major cities and regions like Interlaken; 2-3 weeks for a comprehensive experience

Best Time: May to September (Summer) for outdoor activities; December to March for skiing Read More

Accommodation Cost (per night in USD):
Dorm bed: $30-50
Budget: $80-150
Mid-range: $200-300
Luxury: $350 and above

Budget for Food & Drinks (per day in USD):
Budget: $20-40
Mid-range: $50-80

Visa Policy for Indians: Schengen Visa

Visa Policy for Other Nationals: Schengen Visa for many countries

Getting In Switzerland: Zurich Airport (ZRH), Geneva Airport (GVA) Read More

Getting Around Switzerland: Trains, trams, buses, boats, and cable cars Read More

Switzerland Tourism

Switzerland, nestled in the heart of Central Europe, is a captivating destination with a magnetic appeal to travelers from all corners of the globe. It is a land of stereotypes – expansive greenery, picturesque landscapes, chocolate, cheese, and watches. Switzerland’s lush green vistas are so perfect that they seem to be plucked out of a postcard. It truly is one of the most beautiful places on Earth – soaring Alpine mountains, medieval churches, a bucketful of fresh air, disarming landscapes, and green fields you would endlessly want to run through. It is one of those few places where everything runs on time, the chocolate is fantastic, the countryside is breathtaking, and everything is as perfect as a dream!

Yet, Switzerland is not merely a haven for nature lovers. Its culture is a tapestry woven with threads of different languages, traditions, and history. Charming villages and cities like Zurich, Geneva, Lucerne, and Bern invite exploration of their historical treasures, while year-round cultural events provide insight into the nation's rich heritage. 

For the adventurous at heart, Switzerland's menu includes daring experiences like canyoning, bungee jumping, and skydiving, ensuring an adrenaline rush that you won't soon forget. It is also perfect for relaxation as many of its serene locations offer spa retreats that rejuvenate the mind and body, set against a backdrop of picturesque landscapes.

Must Know Before You Travel to Switzerland

  • Public Transport: Switzerland boasts an efficient, extensive, and punctual public transport network, including trains, trams, buses, and boats, making it the ideal way to explore the country's picturesque landscapes and charming cities.
  • Swiss Post: Swiss Post offers a service called "PostBus," a convenient way to reach remote destinations and scenic spots.
  • Swiss Travel Pass: Consider purchasing a Swiss Travel Pass(costing CHF 232 for 3 days, onwards), which offers unlimited travel on the Swiss Travel System network for a certain number of days. It covers trains, trams, buses, and even some boats, making it a cost-effective way to explore the country.
  • Swiss Travel App: Download the Swiss Travel System app for real-time information on public transportation, schedules, and ticket booking.
  • Swiss Family Card: If you're traveling with children under 16, get a Swiss Family Card, allowing them to travel for free with you on public transportation.
  • Swiss Vignette: If you're driving, purchase a Swiss motorway vignette, a sticker allowing you to use the highways legally. It's cheaper than fines for not having one.
  • Cable Cars and Gondolas: Many mountain destinations are accessed by cable cars and gondolas. If you plan to use them frequently, consider getting a Swiss Half Fare Card, which allows you to purchase tickets at half price.
  • Swiss Museum Pass: If you're interested in visiting museums and attractions, look into the Swiss Museum Pass, which provides access to many cultural institutions throughout the country.
  • Travel Light: Switzerland's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around without a car. Travel light to navigate trains and buses more comfortably.
  • Hiking Permits: If you plan to hike in certain areas, check if you need a hiking permit, as some trails require them for safety and environmental protection.
  • Keep Coins: Swiss coins are valuable and often needed for public restrooms and small purchases, so save them.
  • Water: Tap water in Switzerland is safe to drink and of excellent quality. Refill your water bottle to save money and reduce plastic waste.

Best time to visit Switzerland

Switzerland has 4 distinct seasons, each with its own set of activities and allure, making it a year-round destination. November and the beginning of December see heavy rainfall and mist, with a lot of major tourist operations especially in the skiing areas shut. You can figure out the best season for you depending on what you plan on doing during your visit.

Holidify's opinion on Travel to Switzerland

What's Great about Travelling to Switzerland?

Natural Beauty, Food

What's Not So Great about Travelling to Switzerland?

Expensive

Read More on Switzerland Travel

Food of Switzerland

Swiss cuisine is sumptuous, being influenced by different regions of its German, French and Italian neighbours. Swiss farmers mainly focus on dairy since wheat farming is less suited to higher altitudes. Potatoes are a Swiss staple, along with cured sausages and air-dried meat. Being at the forefront of chocolate manufacturing, it is heaven for dessert lovers. Eating out in Switzerland can be very expensive. The common street foods are burgers, pizza slices, kebabs and falafel. The national dish is the cheese fondue – a pot of white molten cheese with pieces of bread or potato to dip into. Another speciality of Switzerland is the raclette which is molten cheese spread over potatoes and pickles. The cafes and restaurants serve meals at designated times, thus you will find only snacks in between. Cafes are generally open from breakfast until midnight and serve alcohol. The bars and pubs open from late afternoon till late in the night. Beers are excellent in Switzerland and even the most remote places serve good wine.

Shopping in Switzerland

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to buy things in. The country is famous for a number of things – watches, chocolate, cheese and Swiss Army knives. Being the watch-making capital of the world, watches are the most exquisite items available here. The Swiss variety of chocolate is amazingly good with Teuscher and Sprungli being the best of the lot. Make sure to sample the wide variety of cheeses available in the market, along with the famous cheese fondue. The major tourist areas sell other items like cowbells, embroidered clothes and Heidi related stuff. Swiss people love cows, thus you can find cow-related items ranging from stuffed toy cows to fake cowhide jackets in almost every part of the country. Zurich’s famous Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most exclusive shopping streets in the world, however, visit it only if you have really deep pockets.

Tips for Visiting Switzerland

When invited for a meal to someone’s house, it is customary to give flowers to the hostess. However, do not give chrysanthemums or white asters as they are considered as funeral flowers in Switzerland. There are no rules regarding the dress code and you can simply wear the clothes of your choice. Informal wear is widely acceptable. However, first-class restaurants, hotel dining rooms and important social occasions may require you to wear jackets and ties. Switzerland is not one of the safest European countries, so keep an eye on your belongings, especially in the more crowded areas. The Swiss people tend to be very open with public displays of affection, sometimes too open, and women might find people getting a little extra friendly in bars and pubs. In such a case, just walking away is enough. Do not cross a red pedestrian light, as you will be fined on the spot for it. The public consumption of alcohol is legal in Switzerland, so don’t be surprised if you find a group of teenagers drinking on public property.

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